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Before his ascension to the throne, Torygg's father, Istlod, was High King for nearly twenty-five years. Upon Istlod's death, the Moot elected Torygg High King of Skyrim. Torygg was said by some to have a close connection with the Empire, and praised them frequently,[1] others claim that he sympathized with the Stormcloaks and would have seceded from the Empire if Ulfric Stormcloak had merely asked[2][3]. High King Torygg would reign over Skyrim until his death at the hands of Ulfric Stormcloak, in 4E 201.[2][3] Since he was never publicly vocal regarding the controversy of the White-Gold Concordat, no one knew his true political views. Even so, many interpreted his silence during the signing of the White-Gold Concordat and its subsequent enforcement as alleged contentment of its policies.[4] Torygg, however, was crowned High King after the signing of the White-Gold Concordat.[5]

In 4E 201, Torygg was killed by Ulfric Stormcloak, Jarl of Windhelm, in a challenge over the leadership of Skyrim. According to Ulfric, he used the power of the Thu'um to shout Torygg to the ground and then finished him with his sword in front of the entire court.[2][3]

Ulfric and his supporters maintain that it was a formal one-on-one duel in the "Old Nord Way" and thus should not be considered murder[6], whereas many others in Skyrim believe it was murder.

Through dialogue with his former court members and Elisif, the Dragonborn discovers he respected Ulfric Stormcloak. Sybille Stentor even states that Torygg might have stood up against the Empire if Ulfric had asked him to.[2] After his death, he is still respected by Imperial loyalists. To Stormcloaks and proud Talos worshipers however, Torygg is viewed as a puppet king of the Empire who betrayed them for the Empire's good graces. They celebrate Torygg's death in the duel against Ulfric Stormcloak as a symbol of rebellion against what they consider the corruption of the Empire and the Thalmor.[4]